Factors Influencing Sexual Adjustment in People with Spinal Cord Injuries

Objective To determine the factors which influence the level of sexual adjustment. Method A total of 96 subjects were enrolled in this study. The measuring instruments consisted of the dependent variables related to the perception of sexual adjustment and the independent variables that have an influence on sexual adjustment. The dependent variables were comprised of three sub-elements: satisfaction with sexual life, negative attitudes and prejudices, and sexual attractiveness. The independent variables were comprised of physical factors including sexual functioning; psychological factors including self-esteem, depression, the acceptance of disability, and ego-resilience; and domestic factors including feelings of intimacy with the partner, and support from family. Results The level of the sexual adjustment in men with spinal cord injury (SCI) was relatively high. When considering the correlation between the factors and sexual adjustment, the level of intimacy with the partner showed the highest correlation, followed by depression, ego-resilience, self-esteem, acceptance of disability, support from family, and sexual functioning, respectively. Finally, sexual adjustments were mainly influenced by psychological and domestic factors such as the intimacy with the partner and depression. Conclusion Despite the disability of sexual function, men with SCI, recorded overall high levels of the sexual adjustment. The level of intimacy with the partner and depression were the variables that had effects on sexual adjustment.